'We found her suspiciously loitering near the ladies' camp by the Western Corridor, Chief.'

Grisell looked up from the accounts she was reconciling to see a beautiful young woman resisting being man-handled by her guards, she intitutively guessed her to be Sorcha Lees.

'She refuses to answer,' one of the guards informed Grisell.

'What's your name?' Grisell demanded.

'Sorcha Lees.'

She is beautiful, striking in fact. Why did Eskine not want to take her to wife?

Grisell shook her wayward thoughts aside, silently thanking the gods, it was her that Eskine loved.

Sorcha in turn studied Grisell. She had heard of the powerful, fearless Chief of Dalmahoy, but she'd never had the privilege of seeing her close up. Sorcha was stunned at Grisell's striking beauty. She thought Grisell looked angelic with her glossy ash blonde hair, and her smoky eyes, they were grey, but displayed intelligence, confidence and made her look alive. Today Grisell was wearing a long white dress and brown boots. A chestnut brown band around her head, just above her forehead held her glossy, loose hair in place. Sorcha was shocked that she was so young. She thought she would be at least ten years older.

'May I ask why you are trespassing on my property?' Grisell demanded in a quiet, yet authoritative voice.

'Sorcha scrunched her face. 'I know my chief is seeing somebody here in our enemy's camp!' She spat.

Grisell leaned back in her chair, folded her arms. What business is it of yours if he is?

'He's mine,' Sorcha quarreled.

The two guards grinned, clearly entertained and were enjoying witnessing this scintillating conversation.

'Shouldn't that work both ways?' Grisell questioned.

Sorcha frowned, 'What do you mean?'

'You say he is yours. Does he feel the same way?'

Sorcha fiddled, scowled and shifted her feet. The guards were nudging each other, clearly enjoying the entertainment.

'Leave us,' Grisell ordered.

'Wh___ what are you going to do to me?' Sorcha questioned. 'I hear you throw your people in your dungeon and leave them to die!'

'Nothing,' Grisell replied. 'You will leave after I have spoken to you.' Her eyes followed her guards leaving as they closed her door.

Sorcha pursed her lips, containing her fury. She wanted revenge. She wanted to hurt somebody.

'I am the woman, your chief is seeing,' Grisell announced.

Sorcha's eyes widened to saucer size. 'But he's mine!' She cried out.

Grisell's eyes bore into Sorcha's. 'You did have a relationship, but it is over. You're an adult. You should know when it's time to move on.'

'He'll come back to me!' she argued.

Grisell shook her head. 'He's going to marry me.'

'No!' Sorcha screamed. 'No!'

'You may leave,' Grisell signaled to her guards to removed Sorcha off Dalmahoy property.

That afternoon, Grisell was pondering how to improve relations with her neighbouring clan, so she unilaterally, opened a free trade zone for both clans. She gave orders to her team that dealt with construction work to erect a large free trade zone board. The notice board informed both clans, they could sell or exchange their goods, produce or anything they wished to trade with. By the large gathering and excited voices, Grisell could tell that it was a successful idea. Evident on every face was delight and joy and Grisell could predict sounds of peace between the clans in the very near future. She was hardly surprised when Eskine rode up on his horse to see what all the din was about and found both their respective clan members enthusiastically engaging in bartering and trade. There was a curious blank, expression on his face as his eyes met the Chief of Dalmahoy; her arms were folded, with a mischievous grin on her face as her eyes lifted to him high on his horse. Eskine effortlessly hopped off his horse and walked to where she stood.

'I see you're making executive decisions for my clan too now?'

She chuckled softly and shrugged her shoulders. 'You approve, don't you, she whispered to him.

'I think it a brilliant idea,' he smiled. 'Every day you amaze me!'

It was at that precise same moment both of them turned their eyes away from each other to observe the sudden silence. Moments ago, there was loud chatter from the trade zone where business was being enthusiastically conducted. Suddenly now every pair of eyes was directed at both the Chiefs who seemed to be having rather an intimate conversation.

'Um ___my father wishes to have an audience with you.'

Eskine's head swung sharply back to Grisell. Myriad thoughts crossed his mind as to why he was being summoned by Udny Blane. Were more cattle missing? Did he disapprove of the joint desalination project? Did the Dalmahoy soldiers make more false claims against the DeMartino? It never crossed his mind, it would be about relationship matters.

'Seeing I am literally standing on Dalmahoy land, I can see him now, if he's available.'

Grisell signaled to one of her guards. 'Hurry to my father,' she instructed. 'Tell him the Chief of DeMartino shall take tea with him immediately.'

She looked up into Eskine's eyes. 'Leave your horse here,' she murmured. 'We shall walk.'

He raised his eyebrows at her express instruction. It would not be a tiresome walk, about fifteen minutes. Grisell though that should give her father a few minutes to prepare himself for Eskine's visit. She heard Eskine whistle and followed his eyes. One of his clan came running over. Eskine murmured something in his ear and the young man took the reins of Eskine's horse and led it away.

'Let's walk shall we?' Eskine's back was to all the people, they could not see the tender look in his eyes as he gazed into his lady love's eyes and observed how beautiful she looked in her white dress and an orange flower blossom pinned to the side of her head. She'd removed the head band and her hair was cascading over her shoulders.

Eskine walked alone into the private quarters of the former Chief of Dalmahoy. It was a bright airy room, with lots of sunlight entering in. He was surprised at how massive the former Chief's quarters were. It was more than twice the size of Grisell's quarters. There was a round table of dark wood, with some matching chairs, angled near a very large fire place. On the far side, where the window was, stood a large table of similar colour, with lots of books and files on it. A bouquet of lavender flowers were in a vase on the table. At the end of the room a door was closed. Eskine suspected that was the chief's bedroom. Two cream coloured Chesterfield sofas were closer to the door Eskine entered through. Udny Blane occupied one of those sofas as his eyes stayed focused on Eskine.

Eskine calmly stood with his shoulders ramrod straight, his hands at his side, his feet slightly apart, his eyes trained on his unsmiling, inhospitable host. Eskine wondered how long Blane was going to play the staring game, he was unfazed by the elder man's intimidating tactics. Eventually Udny rang the bell at his side and a nurse came rushing in. She looked at the extremely tall gentleman standing in Udny's room and surprise was evident in her eyes. She was certain he was the famed, battle hard ruler of the DeMartino.

'Have some tea brought in,' Udny ordered.

The nurse nodded and stepped out again. Udny pointed to the other sofa, indicating to Eskine to take a seat.

'Thank you,' Eskine expressed in a clear, steady voice.

'So I believe my daughter has had some clandestine meetings with you!' Udny stared at Eskine accusingly.

Eskine's eyes narrowed for an infinitesimal second.

Of all the bloody reasons to summon me here, damn bugger!

'You have a problem with that Chief Blane?'

Udny started for a few long seconds before he responded. 'You will discover that my daughter is a spirited and feisty young one. She's never been one to seek counsel, nor does she embrace it, when it is unsolicitedly dispensed.'

Eskine smiled. Didn't he just know it all too well.

'She is too used to having her own way from when she was two bricks high. She won't take to being ordered about and she is exceptionally ___ decisive.'

'Unlike any man I have ever known,' Eskine agreed.

Udny could find no fault in the young DeMartino, his daughter claimed to love. He observed a confident, healthy, brave, fearless, unintimidated and intelligent suitor. It was not his place to demand DeMartino take his daughter to wife. He trusted his daughter's intuition. He belived she would choose according to her heart and she would never compromise her self-styled standards.

'In the past, our clans have fought over water and land, instead of sharing. Today we are unnecessary enemies,' Udny offered.

'As you have observed, Grisell has successfully chipped away at those antagonisms,' Eskine stated. 'She and I have signed a cooperation agreement to share the desalinated water and jointly contribute to the costs thereof. We will continue to find ways to redress this cold war between our respective clans. Only today she opened, dare I say without consultation with me, a free trade zone. I have not seen our tribes be so friendly in a long time.'

Udny laughed. 'She told me about that.' When he realized who he was laughing with, the smile disappeared off his face. A trolley being wheeled in with refreshments, distracted both men. Eskine was surprised to see it was Grisell bringing in the tray. A bright smile lit up her face. She was so beautiful. She always took his breath away. Eskine stood, his eyes admiring her unashamedly. Grisell looked up into his eyes. Eskine saw the passion, the love, which she quickly banked.

'May I?' Eskine offered to pour the tea.

'Thank you.' She observed him pour tea for her parent with a steady hand. He passed Udny a plate with an assortment of tea treats. Boldly Grisell took the vacant seat, on Eskine's sofa.

'Grisell?' Eskine offered her some tea.

'No thank you. I've had some already,' she lied.

Eskine nodded, poured himself some, added an unhealthy amount of sugar and took his seat next to Grisell. Udny watched his daughter and DeMartino, observed how they stole furtive glances at each other and the strained effort to contain their attraction to each other. Udny liked what he saw. It made him a proud, delighted parent. He could close his eyes and know his daughter was happy and in good hands.

'DeMartino,' Udny announced. 'I am hereby calling a permanent truce between our clan, subject to approval, of the current Chief of Dalmahoy,' he smiled adoringly at his daughter. 'Your clan is welcome on Dalmahoy territory.'

Grisell jumped to her feet. 'Thank you father,' she flung her arms around her parent's neck and kissed his cheek.

'Thank you,' Eskine stood up. 'I offer the same unreservedly,' Eskine reached out his hand to Udny, who shook it unhesitatingly.

'I believe my daughter has prepared supper for you. I am tired,' he stated dismissively.

Grisell laughed. 'I shall see you tomorrow father.'

She kissed her father, before daringly tucking her arm into Eskine's as she led him out. She looked into his eyes adoringly, desperate to wrap her arms around him and aching to kiss him. Neither saw the happiness in Udny Blane's eyes, nor the solitary tear of joy that silently slid down his cheek.

'You're inviting me to supper?' Eskine grinned, his eyes tender and loving as he gazed down into her eyes.

'I didn't know anything about you, I and supper,' she laughed happily, 'but if you don't have plans,' I'd love to have supper with you,' she offered.

'Then I accept,' he threw his head back laughingly.

'So___ how do we do this?' she questioned tentatively. 'I now have my father's permission to be publically seen with you.'

'We shall court openly,' Eskine stated. 'We shall have meals out in the open; go riding on the beach; have picnics and we will reserve our intimacy for behind closed doors,' he murmured with smouldering eyes.

She led him out to the gardens. 'I want so badly for you to kiss me,' she whispered.

Eskine inhaled with much effort. He wanted the same. He wanted to crush her in his arms, cover her mouth with his and kiss her senseless, until she begged him to take her, but he banked his desire.

'I will come to you before midnight,' he vowed.

Grisell looked up, and observed she and Eskine were getting curious glances from her tribes' people. She wondered if any suspected that she was already shamelessly compromised. As they walked, she pointed to a batch of quince fruit trees. 'These were planted by Finn,' she spoke sadly. 'He cultivated them from the Middle East. They are actually quite delicious,' she laughed, fighting back the tears that threatened to embarrass her.

'I am very sorry for your loss my darling,' Eskine spoke softly, his tone consoling.

'Thank you,' she smiled, looking away, avoiding Eskine's eyes.

'I have an idea, for a change,' Eskine spoke chirpily.

She laughed, 'you do?'

'Yes. How about we start a trade school? You have experts and I have some. We can offer lessons to our people from construction, engineering, agriculture and the ladies can offer their skills to.'

'That is a brilliant idea Eskine Aird,' she clapped her hands together. She looked around searchingly. 'You can decide where we can erect the structure for the lessons to take place.'

'I guess we can tear down some of our boundary wall,' he grinned, pointing to an area he though convenient for both tribes to be accommodated at. 'I will select two of my council members to create a list of the skills we can offer, you do the same. They can form a committee to oversee this trade school.'

'Eskine, I think we are going to do wonderful things for our clans together,' she breathed excitedly.

'I am so happy darling. Every morning I wake up and feel motivated to engage in productive ideas.'

'The same with me,' she smiled. 'I fight with my brain every day to create ideas on how to tear down these walls between our clans and I believe we are winning.'

'Is it too early for our supper?' he laughed.

'I am sure the kitchen can serve us now,' she smiled. 'There's always something available,' she led Eskine to a bench under a tree. 'Will you be comfortable with us having our meal here?'

Eskine looked up into the sky, the sun was fading away into the late afternoon sky. It was still warm and bright. Anywhere was fine, with Grisell next to him. 'This is perfect,' he nodded.

'I will inform the kitchen to serve us here. I think super will comprise roast chicken, gammon, fried potatoes and salads. Do you prefer white or red wine?'

'Red please. Tomorrow you will take supper with me. Yes?'

'Why thank you,' she laughed.

He nodded. 'I will come collect you about seven.'

'Looking forward to it,' she spoke over her shoulder as she rushed to the kitchen.

                 -end chapter 16-